The British Royal Court has released information about the reception hosted by HM Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom of Great-Britain and Northern-Ireland in honour of the wedding of her grandson, HRH the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William of the United Kingdom of Great-Britain and Northern-Ireland, to Catherine Middleton.

From the official website of the Royal wedding:

"The Queen is giving a lunchtime Reception at Buckingham Palace for around 650 guests drawn from the Wedding Service congregation, representing the Couple’s official and private lives.

Guests will be served Pol Roger NV Brut Réserve Champagne with a selection of other soft and alcoholic drinks.

The wedding cake and a chocolate biscuit cake will also be served at the Reception. The wedding cake, designed by Fiona Cairns, is made from 17 individual fruit cakes (12 of which form the base) and has eight tiers. The cake has been decorated with cream and white icing using the Joseph Lambeth technique. There are up to 900 individually iced flowers and leaves of 17 different varieties decorated on the cake. A garland design around the middle of the cake matches the architectural garlands decorated around the top of the Picture Gallery in Buckingham Palace, the room in which the cake will be displayed. The chocolate biscuit cake was created by Mcvitie’s Cake Company using a Royal Family recipe at the special request of Prince William.

During the course of the Reception, Governors-General and Prime Ministers of Realm Countries will be presented to The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall and the Bridal Couple. The Reception will include the cutting of the wedding cake and some speeches.

Guests at the reception will be entertained by Claire Jones, the official Harpist to HRH The Prince of Wales."

The Bishop of London's Sermon at the wedding of TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Catherine, Princess William of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern-Ireland.

From the official website of the Royal wedding:

"Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” So said St Catherine of Siena whose festival day it is today. Marriage is intended to be a way in which man and woman help each other to become what God meant each one to be, their deepest and truest selves.

Many are full of fear for the future of the prospects of our world but the message of the celebrations in this country and far beyond its shores is the right one – this is a joyful day! It is good that people in every continent are able to share in these celebrations because this is, as every wedding day should be, a day of hope.

In a sense every wedding is a royal wedding with the bride and the groom as king and queen of creation, making a new life together so that life can flow through them into the future.

William and Catherine, you have chosen to be married in the sight of a generous God who so loved the world that he gave himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ.

And in the Spirit of this generous God, husband and wife are to give themselves to each another.

A spiritual life grows as love finds its centre beyond ourselves. Faithful and committed relationships offer a door into the mystery of spiritual life in which we discover this; the more we give of self, the richer we become in soul; the more we go beyond ourselves in love, the more we become our true selves and our spiritual beauty is more fully revealed. In marriage we are seeking to bring one another into fuller life.

It is of course very hard to wean ourselves away from self-centredness. And people can dream of doing such a thing but the hope should be fulfilled it is necessary a solemn decision that, whatever the difficulties, we are committed to the way of generous love.

You have both made your decision today – “I will” – and by making this new relationship, you have aligned yourselves with what we believe is the way in which life is spiritually evolving, and which will lead to a creative future for the human race.

We stand looking forward to a century which is full of promise and full of peril. Human beings are confronting the question of how to use wisely a power that has been given to us through the discoveries of the last century. We shall not be converted to the promise of the future by more knowledge, but rather by an increase of loving wisdom and reverence, for life, for the earth and for one another.

Marriage should transform, as husband and wife make one another their work of art. It is possible to transform as long as we do not harbour ambitions to reform our partner. There must be no coercion if the Spirit is to flow; each must give the other space and freedom. Chaucer, the London poet, sums it up in a pithy phrase:

“Whan maistrie [mastery] comth, the God of Love anon,

Beteth his wynges, and farewell, he is gon.”

As the reality of God has faded from so many lives in the West, there has been a corresponding inflation of expectations that personal relations alone will supply meaning and happiness in life. This is to load our partner with too great a burden. We are all incomplete: we all need the love which is secure, rather than oppressive, we need mutual forgiveness, to thrive.

As we move towards our partner in love, following the example of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is quickened within us and can increasingly fill our lives with light. This leads to a family life which offers the best conditions in which the next generation can practise and exchange those gifts which can overcome fear and division and incubate the coming world of the Spirit, whose fruits are love and joy and peace.

I pray that all of us present and the many millions watching this ceremony and sharing in your joy today, will do everything in our power to support and uphold you in your new life. And I pray that God will bless you in the way of life that you have chosen, that way which is expressed in the prayer that you have composed together in preparation for this day:

God our Father, we thank you for our families; for the love that we share and for the joy of our marriage.

In the busyness of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy.

Strengthened by our union help us to serve and comfort those who suffer. We ask this in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen."

Pictures of the pre-wedding events and of the wedding of TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Catherine, Princess William of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern-Ireland.

The British Royal Court released information about the wedding dress of the bride, the jewellery of the bride, the bridal bouquet, the Bridesmaids' Dresses and Page' Uniforms, at the wedding of HRH the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

From the official website of the Royal wedding:

"The Wedding Dress
Miss Catherine Middleton’s Wedding Dress has been designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen.

Miss Middleton chose British brand Alexander McQueen for the beauty of its craftsmanship and its respect for traditional workmanship and the technical construction of clothing. Miss Middleton wished for her dress to combine tradition and modernity with the artistic vision that characterises Alexander McQueen’s work. Miss Middleton worked closely with Sarah Burton in formulating the design of her dress.

The dress epitomises timeless British craftsmanship by drawing together talented and skilled workmanship from across the United Kingdom. The dress design pays tribute to the Arts and Crafts tradition, which advocated truth to materials and traditional craftsmanship using simple forms and often Romantic styles of decoration. Ms Burton’s design draws on this heritage, additionally giving the cut and the intricate embellishment a distinctive, contemporary and feminine character.

The design
The lace appliqué for the bodice and skirt was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court Palace. The lace design was hand-engineered (appliquéd) using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s. Individual flowers have been hand-cut from lace and hand-engineered onto ivory silk tulle to create a unique and organic design, which incorporates the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock.

Hand-cut English lace and French Chantilly lace has been used throughout the bodice and skirt, and has been used for the underskirt trim. With laces coming from different sources, much care was taken to ensure that each flower was the same colour. The whole process was overseen and put together by hand by Ms Burton and her team.

The dress is made with ivory and white satin gazar. The skirt echoes an opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats. The train measures two metres 70 centimetres. The ivory satin bodice, which is narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, draws on the Victorian tradition of corsetry and is a hallmark of Alexander McQueen’s designs. The back is finished with 58 gazar and organza covered buttons fastened by Rouleau loops. The underskirt is made of silk tulle trimmed with Cluny lace.

The Fabrics
French Chantilly lace was combined with English Cluny lace to be hand-worked in the Irish Carrickmacross needlework tradition.

All other fabrics used in the creation of the dress were sourced from and supplied by British companies. The choice of fabrics followed extensive research by Sarah Burton and her team.

The Royal School of Needlework
The Royal School of Needlework (RSN), based at Hampton Court Palace, assisted the Alexander McQueen team in accurately cutting out the delicate motifs from the lace fabrics and positioning the lace motifs with precision into the new design. The lace motifs were pinned, ‘framed up’ and applied with stab stitching every two to three millimetres around each lace motif. The workers washed their hands every thirty minutes to keep the lace and threads pristine, and the needles were renewed every three hours, to keep them sharp and clean.

The RSN workers included existing staff, former staff, tutors, graduates and students, with the youngest aged 19.

The RSN’s work was used primarily for the train and skirt of the Bride’s dress, the bodice and sleeves, the Bride’s shoes and the Bride’s veil.

Veil and Jewellery
The veil is made of layers of soft, ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers, which was embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework. The veil is held in place by a Cartier ‘halo’ tiara, lent to Miss Middleton by The Queen. The ‘halo’ tiara was made by Cartier in 1936 and was purchased by The Duke of York (later King George VI) for his Duchess (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother) three weeks before he succeeded his brother as King. The tiara was presented to Princess Elizabeth (now The Queen) by her mother on the occasion of her 18th birthday.

The Bride’s earrings, by Robinson Pelham, are diamond-set stylised oak leaves with a pear shaped diamond set drop and a pavé set diamond acorn suspended in the centre. Inspiration for the design comes from the Middleton family's new coat of arms, which includes acorns and oak leaves. The earrings were made to echo the tiara. The earrings were a personal gift to the Bride from her parents for her Wedding Day.

Robinson Pelham have also designed and made a pair of diamond earrings for Miss Philippa Middleton. These earrings are more floral in nature to compliment the headpiece worn by Miss Philippa Middleton during the Service.

A tourmaline and diamond pendant and matching earrings have been designed and made for Mrs. Carole Middleton. Two gold stick pins, one with a single gold acorn at the head and the other with an oak leaf, are also worn respectively by the Father of the Bride, Mr. Michael Middleton, and the Bride's brother, Mr. James Middleton.

Wedding Shoes
The wedding shoes have made hand-made by the team at Alexander McQueen and are made of ivory duchesse satin with lace hand-embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework.

The Bride’s Bouquet
The bouquet is a shield-shaped wired bouquet of myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, sweet William and hyacinth. The bouquet was designed by Shane Connolly and draws on the traditions of flowers of significance for the Royal Family, the Middleton family and on the Language of Flowers.
The flowers’ meanings in the bouquet are:
Lily-of-the-valley – Return of happiness
Sweet William – Gallantry
Hyacinth – Constancy of love
Ivy: Fidelity; marriage; wedded love; friendship; affection
Myrtle: the emblem of marriage; love.
The bouquet contains stems from a myrtle planted at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, by Queen Victoria in 1845, and a sprig from a plant grown from the myrtle used in The Queen’s wedding bouquet of 1947.
The tradition of carrying myrtle begun after Queen Victoria was given a nosegay containing myrtle by Prince Albert’s grandmother during a visit to Gotha in Germany. In the same year, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought Osborne House as a family retreat, and a sprig from the posy was planted against the terrace walls, where it continues to thrive today.
The myrtle was first carried by Queen Victoria eldest daughter, Princess Victoria, when she married in 1858, and was used to signify the traditional innocence of a bride.

Miss Philippa Middleton’s Dress
Miss Philippa Middleton’s dress was designed and created by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. It is of a heavy, ivory satin-based crepe, with a cowl front and with the same button detail and lace trims as the Bride’s dress.

The Young Bridesmaids’ Dresses
The young Bridesmaids’ dresses were designed by childrenswear designer Nicki Macfarlane to echo the Bride’s dress. The four dresses were hand-made by Ms Macfarlane and her daughter Charlotte Macfarlane at their homes in Wiltshire and Kent.
The Bridesmaids’ dresses have been created using the same fabrics as the Bride’s dress. The ballerina-length, full, box pleated skirt gives the dresses a sculptural quality, with the layering of ivory over white satin gazar adding depth of colour. They have all been hand-finished with delicate English Cluny lace, which is visible under the skirts, and four layers of net underskirt. The puff sleeves and neckline are trimmed with the same English lace as the Bride’s underskirt. The backs have been finished with the same button detail.

The sashes are made of pale gold, wild silk, which is tucked at the front and tied at the back in a sumptuous bow.

As a special memento, the Bridesmaid’s name and the date of the wedding have been hand-embroidered onto the lining of each dress.

Capes (These may or may not be worn dependent on the weather)
The waist-length capes, also created by Nicki Macfarlane, are made from ivory Yorkshire wool, edged in fine English lace and tied at the front in the same satin gazar as the dresses.

Shoes
The Bridesmaids’ shoes were designed and made by Devon-based Rainbow Club. The classic Mary Jane style shoes are made from satin and finished with a Swarovski crystal buckle. Devon-based Rainbow Club have been designing, making and colouring handmade wedding shoes since the mid-1980s.

Bridesmaids’ Flowers
The Bridesmaids’ flowers were designed and made by Shane Connolly. The ivy and lily-of-the-valley hair wreaths worn by the younger Bridesmaids were influenced by the Bride’s mother’s own headdress at her wedding in 1981. The bouquets held by the Bridesmaids replicate the flowers used in the Bride’s bouquet, and they incorporate lily-of-the-valley, sweet William and hyacinth.

Pages’ Uniforms
The Pages are wearing a uniform in the style of that worn by a Foot Guards officer at the time of the Regency (the 1820s). The uniform draws its insignia from the Irish Guards, whose Colonel is Prince William.

The tunic is Guards’ Red with gold piping, Irish shamrocks are on the collars and its buttons are arranged in fours, denoting the Irish – or Fourth – Regiment of Foot Guards. The buttons feature the Harp of Ireland surmounted by the Crown Imperial. The breeches are ivory and are worn with white stockings and black buckle shoes.

The Pages will wear a gold and crimson sash (with tassel) around their waists. The sash is worn by officers in the Irish Guards when in the presence of a Member of the Royal Family.

The uniforms were designed in the Royal Household and were created by Kashket and Partners, who have also fitted Prince William’s uniform for his Wedding Day. The collars and cuffs were created by the Royal School of Needlework."

The British Royal Court released information about the dress of HM Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom of Great-Britain and Northern-Ireland, at the wedding of HRH the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

From the official website of the Royal wedding:

"Her Majesty The Queen is wearing an Angela Kelly designed single crepe wool primrose dress with hand sown beading at the neck in the shape of sunrays. Matching double crepe wool tailored primrose coat.

The British Royal Court released information about the dress of HRH the Duchess of Cornwall, The Princess Charles of the United Kingdom of Great-Britain and Northern-Ireland, at the wedding of HRH the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

From the official website of the Royal wedding:

"Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall is wearing an outfit designed by Anna Valentine to the wedding of Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton.

The outfit consists of a champagne silk dress and a duck egg blue and champagne coat, which is hand-embroidered. The dress and coat are both designed by Anna Valentine.

The Duchess of Cornwall is wearing a Philip Treacy hat and shoes made by Jimmy Choo. The clutch bag is by Anna Valentine "

The British Royal Court released information about the uniforms of HRH the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, and HRH Prince Harry of Wales at the wedding of The Duke of Cambridge and Catherine Middleton.

From the official YouTube channel of the Royal House:

"Prince William has chosen to wear the uniform of Colonel of the Irish Guards on his Wedding Day. Prince William, who is commissioned in all three Armed Services, and who has served actively with the Army (The Household Cavalry Regiment) and with the Royal Air Force (Search and Rescue Force), chose to wear the uniform of his senior honorary appointment in the Army.

Prince Harry wears the uniform of a Captain of the Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals)."

The British Royal Court released information about the uniform of Carole Middleton, at the wedding of his oldest daughter, Catherine Middleton, to HRH the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William..

From the official website of the Royal wedding:

"Mrs. Carole Middleton is wearing a sky blue wool crepe coatdress with matching satin piping and passementerie at the waist and cuff over a sky blue silk shantung ‘Sydney’ day dress with short pleated sleeves and pleated pockets. The dress and coatdress are by Catherine Walker. Mrs. Middleton’s hat is by Berkshire-based Jane Corbett. "

The British Royal Court released information about the uniform of HRH the Prince of Wales, The Prince Charles of the United Kingdom of Great-Britain and Northern-Ireland, at the wedding of his oldest son, HRH the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

From the official website of the Royal wedding:

"His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales is wearing the Royal Navy Number One Dress (Ceremonial) to the wedding of Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton. The Prince of Wales has held the rank of Admiral of the Royal Navy since 2006.

The Sash (blue) - Order of the Garter (worn from left shoulder to right side)

The Garter Star: The Most Noble Order of the Garter is worn on the left, below a row of medals. It is a silver eight-pointed star with a centre medallion portraying the enamelled red Cross of St George surrounded by enamelled blue garter inscribed with the motto of the Order “HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE” (Evil be to him that thinks evil).
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded by Edward III in 1348, is the senior British Order of Chivalry. The Prince of Wales automatically became a Knight of the Garter when he became Prince of Wales in 1958, but was not installed until 17th June 1968, at Windsor Castle.
Knights of the Garter are chosen personally by the Sovereign to honour those who have held public office, who have contributed in a particular way to national life, or who have served the Sovereign personally.

The Order of the Garter Thistle Star: Worn on the left chest below the Garter Star.

Neck Order: The badge of the Order of the Bath. The Prince of Wales was made Great Master of the Order on 28th May 1975. The title of the Order is late medieval in origin. It arose from the ritual washing (inspired by the washing of baptism), a symbol of spiritual purification, which formed part of a knight's preparations for the conferment of knighthood.

The Order of Merit: Worn on the military braiding on the right side of the chest. The badge is an eight-pointed cross of red and blue enamel surmounted by the imperial crown; in the centre, upon blue enamel and surrounded by a laurel wreath, are the words in gold lettering “For Merit”.
The Order of Merit is a special honour awarded to individuals of great achievement in the fields of the arts, learning, literature and science. It is relatively new and is one of the most coveted of British distinctions. The Order is restricted to 24 members (as well as additional foreign recipients).
As with the Royal Victorian Order, the Order of Merit is in the sole gift of the Sovereign but carries no rank apart from the initials OM after the name. The Prince of Wales was awarded the Order of Merit on 26th June, 2002.

Medals (from left to right):
The Queen’s Service Order (New Zealand) – This awarded 1983
Instituted on 13th March 1975, this order is to recognize valuable voluntary service to the community and meritorious and faithful public services, both in a civilian capacity.
Coronation Medal – This was awarded in 1953 to commemorate The Queen’s Coronation.
Silver Jubilee Medal – This was awarded in 1977 to commemorate The Queen’s 25 years on the Throne.
Golden Jubilee Medal – This was awarded in 2002 to commemorate The Queen’s 50 years on the Throne.
Canadian Forces Decoration – This was awarded in 1991. The Prince has a number of special relationships with Canadian regiments.
The New Zealand Commemorative Medal – These medals were awarded in 1990 and marks The Prince’s special relationship with New Zealand.

Royal Naval SwordAiguillettes (ornamental braiding): Worn on the right shoulder as he is Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to The Queen. In any other case it would be worn on the left shoulder."

HRH Prince William of Wales received the titles "Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus" today, his wedding day. This makes his bride-to-be after the wedding: HRH the Duchess of Cambridge.

From the official website of the Royal wedding:

"The Queen has today been pleased to confer a Dukedom on Prince William of Wales. His titles will be Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus.

THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE PRESS SECRETARY TO THE QUEEN

The Queen has today been pleased to confer a Dukedom on Prince William of Wales. His titles will be Duke of Cambridge, Earl of Strathearn and Baron Carrickfergus.

Prince William thus becomes His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge and Miss Catherine Middleton on marriage will become Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge."

4/28/2011

The British Royal Court has released information about the music during the wedding of HRH Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton tomorrow, April 29, 2011.

From the official website of the wedding:

"Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton are pleased to announce the music for their Wedding Service. The music has a largely British theme. The Couple have put considerable thought into selecting the music, and their choices blend traditional music with some newly commissioned pieces.

Before the Service
The music before the Service will begin with a selection of organ pieces: Fantasia in G (Pièce d’orgue à 5) by Johann Sebastian Bach, followed by Veni Creator Spiritus by the Master of The Queen’s Music, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies; Prelude on St. Columba Op. 28 by Sir Charles Villiers Stanford and Sonata for Organ Op. 28 (Allegro maestoso and Allegretto) by Edward Elgar.
Following this will be seven orchestral pieces:Serenade for Strings in E minor Op. 20 (Allegro piacevole, Larghetto and Allegretto) by Edward ElgarCourtly Dance V: Galliard from Gloriana (Symphonic Suite) Op. 53a no. 7 by Benjamin BrittenFantasia on Greensleeves by Ralph Vaughan WilliamsFarewell to Stromness by Sir Peter Maxwell DaviesOn Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring by Frederick DeliusTouch Her Soft Lips and Part from Henry V Suite by William WaltonRomance for String Orchestra Op. 11 by Gerald Finzi
Three of these pieces – Farewell to Stromness, Touch Her Soft Lips and Part and Romance for String Orchestra Op. 11 – were played at the Service of Prayer and Dedicationfor The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall in 2005. The Couple specifically chose these pieces for that reason. The final piece of music before the Service begins continues the broadly British theme: Canzona from Organ Sonata in C minor by Percy Whitlock.

Processional Music
The Service will begin with a Fanfare by The State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry to mark the arrival of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. The Fanfare will be followed by three Processionals. For the Procession of The Queen, Prince William and Miss Middleton have chosen March from The Birds by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry. Prelude on Rhosymedre by Ralph Vaughan Williams will accompany the Procession of the Clergy, and was chosen for its Welsh echoes. The Couple have selected ‘I was Glad’, also by Parry, for the Procession of the Bride. Hymns
Prince William and Miss Middleton have chosen three hymns for the Service: ‘Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer’, words by William Williams, translated by Peter Williams and others, and music by John Hughes. The second will be ‘Love Divine All Love Excelling’, words by Charles Wesley and music by William Penfro Rowlands. The third will be ‘Jerusalem’, by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry, words by William Blake. All three hymns have been chosen because they are favourites of the Couple.

The Anthem and Motet
The Anthem, ‘This is the day which the Lord hath made’, has been composed specially for the occasion by John Rutter. It was commissioned by Westminster Abbey as a wedding present for Prince William and Miss Middleton and will be performed by both the Choir of Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal Choir. Mr. Rutter is a British composer, conductor, editor and arranger who specialises in choral music.

The Anthem will be followed by the Motet ‘Ubi caritas’ by Paul Mealor, a Welsh composer, who is currently Reader in Composition at The University of Aberdeen.

Mr. Mealor’s composing studio is on the Isle of Anglesey, where Prince William and Miss Middleton live. This version of ‘Ubi caritas’ was written on Anglesey and premiered at the University of St. Andrews in November 2010.

The National Anthem will be sung immediately before the Signing of the Registers.

The Signing of the Registers and the Recessional
During the Signing of the Registers, the choirs will sing ‘Blest pair of Sirens’, words by John Milton from At a Solemn Musick, music by Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry.
Following the Signing, there will be a Fanfare by the Fanfare Team from the Central Band of the Royal Air Force. The Fanfare, called Valiant and Brave, after the motto of No. 22 Squadron (Search and Rescue Force) was specially composed for this Service by Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs, Principal Director of Music in the Royal Air Force.
The Recessional, for the Procession of the Bride and Bridegroom, will be Crown Imperial by William Walton. Toccata from Symphonie V by Charles-Marie Widor and Pomp and Circumstance March no. 5 by Edward Elgarwill follow the Service."

The British Royal Court has published the Official Souvenir Wedding Programme. You can also download it for free from the official website of the wedding starting April 28. Among others, this program includes a thank you from the couple, the couple's (separate) Coat of Arms and an amazing black and white picture of the couple taken by Mario Testino.

4/27/2011

There are 2 pre-wedding events for HRH Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton on April 29, 2011. Despite the fact that it's the pre-wedding events for the couple, it has not been confirmed that the Prince and his wife-to-be will attend the events.

According to HRH Prince Radu of Romania, TRH the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Prince Richard and Birgitte, Princess Richard of the United Kingdom of Great-Britain and Northern Ireland, will host a lunch at Kensington Palace on Thursday. The invited members of Royal families to the wedding are also invited to the lunch.

On Thursday night, Lady Elizabeth Shakerley, née Lady Elizabeth Anson, will host an official dinner for the members of Royal families around the world who are invited to the wedding.

HRH Prince Christian of Denmark, Count of Monpezat, the eldest child of TRH Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Count and Countess of Monpezat, will start school (class 0) on August 12, 2011. The Prince will attend the Tranegaardsskolen in the Gentofte Kommune.

4/26/2011

The British Royal Court released information about the flower decorations at the wedding of HRH Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton on April 29, 2011.

More information from the official website of the Royal Wedding:

"Prince William and Miss Middleton have chosen London-based floral designer Shane Connolly to create the floral displays for their wedding on April 29th. Mr. Connolly has directed a team of florists, including Westminster Abbey's and Buckingham Palace's florists, and florists individually chosen by the Couple, to create the floral displays at the Abbey and for Buckingham Palace.

Mr. Connolly was chosen by the Couple owing to his reputation for producing elegant and unique displays, and for his creative approach which focuses on using seasonal, natural and organic flowers. Mr. Connolly is also well known for his sustainable approach to floristry, which incorporates as much as possible the use of growing, rather than cut, plants and trees.

The Couple have taken a close interest in the designs, which follows a theme that pays tribute to the Language of Flowers.

The floral displays in Westminster Abbey feature a variety of seasonal growing and cut British flowers and trees sourced from Royal Estates and other growers around the country. The flowers and plants include blossoms, azaleas, rhododendron, euphorbias, beech, wisteria and lilac.

The floral displays in the Abbey will include eight 20 feet-high trees: six English Field Maple and two Hornbeam. All the trees will be growing in planters, which have also been designed by Mr. Connolly and which were made by craftsmen at Highgrove, The Prince of Wales's Residence in Gloucestershire.

After the wedding, the flowers and plants will be left in position in Westminster Abbey for the public to view until Friday 6th May 2011. Following this, many of the trees will be taken to Highgrove Gardens, where they will be planted. The Couple's intention is that many of the cut plants and flowers and all the growing plants will be donated to charities or re-planted."

4/23/2011

HI&RH Archduchess Marie-Christine of Austria, Countess of Liburg-Stirum, and Count Rodolphe of Limburg-Stirum, had their first child, Count Léopold of Limburg-Stirum, on April 19, 2011.

Count Léopold is the first grandchild for TI&RH Archduke Carl Christian and Archduchess Marie-Astrid of Austria, Princess of Luxembourg, the third great-grandson for TRH Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Josephine of Luxembourg, Princess of Belgium, and the sixth great-great-grandchild for TI&RM Emperor Karl and Empress Zita of Austria, King and Queen of Hungary, Princess of Bourbon-Parma.

The wedding ring of Catherine Middleton will be made of Welsh Gold. Her husband to be, HRH Prince William of Wales, will not wear a wedding ring.

More information from the official website of the Royal Wedding:

"The Wedding ring that Catherine Middleton will wear will be made of Welsh Gold. The gold was given to Prince William by The Queen shortly after the couple were engaged. It has been in the family's possession for some years and has been in the care of the Royal Jewellers. There are no further details on which mine the gold was mined from. More information about the ring may be released closer to the Wedding Day.

There will only be one ring, in accordance with the couple's wishes. The ring will be from Prince William for Catherine."

The seating plan for the wedding of HRH Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton on April 29, 2011, has been released.

From the official website of the wedding:

"The Westminster Abbey Seating Plan has been confirmed.North Lantern
Miss Middleton's immediate family and friends
Prince William and Miss Middleton's friends
The Spencer Family

South Lantern
The British Royal Family
Members of Foreign Royal Families

North Transept
Prince William and Miss Middleton's friends

South Transept
Governors General
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Middleton Family friends

Stalls North
Representatives of the Church and other Faiths
Prince William and Miss Middleton's Friends

Stall South
Members of the Cabinet· Prince William and Miss Middleton's Friends

North Nave
Guests of the Prince of Wales
Members of the General Congregation

South NaveRepresentatives of the Church and other Faiths
Members of the General Congregation
The following Members of the Royal Family will be seated on the front row (South Lantern), in order starting closest to the Sacrarium:

The Queen
The Duke of Edinburgh
The Prince of Wales
The Duchess of Cornwall
Prince Harry.

The following members of the Middleton Family will be seated on the front row (North Lantern), in order starting closest to the Sacrarium:

Mrs. Carole Middleton
Mr. Michael Middleton
Mr. James Middleton.
(The remaining places on the front row are still TBC).
The following members of the Spencer Family will be seated on the front row of their block (North Lantern), in order starting closest to the Sacrarium:

4/22/2011

HM Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom of Great-Brittain and Northern-Ireland has given official her approval on February 9, 2011, to the wedding of her grandson, HRH Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton.

The approval read:
"NOW KNOW YE that We have consented and do by these Presents signify Our Consent to the contracting of Matrimony between Our Most Dearly Beloved Grandson Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, K.G. and Our Trusty and Well-beloved Catherine Elizabeth Middleton"

Because of the Royal Marriages Act 1772, all descendants from HM King George II Great-Brittain and Ireland must receive the Monarch's consent before their wedding, or the heirs from that union will be illegitimate and therefore banned from the line of succession to the British Throne.

There are a few exceptions.
1. Princesses who already married or will marry into foreign Royal families and their heirs will not need the consent of the British Monarch.
2. Any member of the family over the age of 25 who's marriage can not be consented by the Sovereign, may marry 1 year after giving notice to the Privy Council about their intention to marry. There is a but though, if both houses of Parliament disapprove of the wedding, the wedding will still be seen as invalid.

4/20/2011

HSH Sovereign Prince Albert of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock have opened an account at the General Treasury of Finances called "Mariage Princier - TGF." The account was created to receive donations for Funds by those individuals who wish to give a gift to the Sovereign Prince and his fiancée on occasion of their wedding.

HRH Prince William of Wales and his fiancée, Catherine Middleton, have selected Hugo Burnand to be their official photographer at their wedding on April 29, 2011. The official pictures will be taken at Buckingham Palace after the wedding.

The British Royal Court announced that they will publish an Official Souvenir Wedding Programme. It will cost £2. You can also download it for free from the official website of the wedding starting April 28. Among others, this program will include a thank you from the couple, the couple's (separate) Coat of Arms and a picture taken by Mario Testino that has not been released yet.

According to the official website about the wedding:

"The Programme will include the full Order of Service (as used by guests in the Abbey), a personal message of thanks from Prince William and Catherine Middleton, and a never-before-seen photo of the couple taken by photographer Mario Testino. The Official Programme will feature Prince William’s Coat of Arms on the front cover and Catherine Middleton’s new Coat of Arms on the back.

The Programme will be sold by 60 Explorer Scouts and 80 Cadets (supervised by adults) for £2 per copy at various locations along the wedding route and surrounding area on the 29th April. Proceeds from the sale of the Official Programme will go to benefit the Foundation of Prince William."

Catherine Middleton, fiancée of HRH Prince William of Wales, and the Middleton family have a new Coat of Arms. After the Royal wedding on April 29, 2011, miss middleton's Coat of Arms will be merged with the Coat of Arms of Prince William to form her new Coat of Arms.

"The Middleton Family worked closely with the College of Arms throughout the design process to create a Coat of Arms that was personal to them and visually identified them as a family.

The three acorns represent Mr. and Mrs. Middleton’s three children (Catherine, Philippa and James). Acorns were chosen because the area in which the children were brought up – West Berkshire, England – is surrounded by oak trees. Additionally, oak is a long-established symbol of both ‘England’ and ‘Strength.’

The gold chevron, which sits at the centre of the design, represents Mrs. Middleton, whose maiden name is Goldsmith. The two thinner chevrons, which sit either side of the gold chevron, allude to hills and mountains and represent outdoor pursuits that the family enjoy together. The colours blue and red were chosen as they are the principle colours from the flag of the United Kingdom.

Miss Middleton’s Coat of Arms has been presented in the form of a ‘lozenge’ and is shown suspended from a ribbon, which indicates that she is an unmarried daughter."

The schedule of the wedding days of HSH Sovereign Prince Albert of Monaco and Charlène Wittstock has been released. The couple will marry on July 1 & 2, 2011.

From the official website about the wedding:

"FRIDAY 1st JULY
5.00pm : The civil wedding will take place in the Throne Room of the Prince's Palace.
The Monegasques will be able to follow the ceremony on giant screens located on Palace Square. The Square will be accessible to Monegasques and their families from 4pm onwards.
5.50pm : After the ceremony, the newly-wedded couple will appear on the balcony of the Salon des Glaces in order to salute the Monegasques.
6.00pm : A cocktail buffet will be offered to the Monegasques on Palace Square. The Mayor of Monaco will present the gift of the Monegasques to the couple.
8.00pm : The residents of the Principality will be invited to a reception on the Port.
10.30pm : A large concert will be offered by the newly-wedded couple on the Port. Jean-Michel Jarre will present a unique sound and light show.
A very large audience is expected.

SATURDAY 2nd JULY
5.00pm : The religious wedding will take place in the Main Courtyard of the Prince's Palace.
The gates of the Palace will remain open in order to allow around 3500 seated persons to follow the ceremony, which will be broadcast on giant screens on the Palace Square.
6.30pm : The couple will leave the Palace for the Sainte Dévote church in order for the Princess to leave her bouquet.
The public will be able to gather all along the procession route in order to congratulate the couple.
9.00pm : The official dinner and the ball will take place at the Opera Garnier and on the Terraces of the Monte-Carlo Casino.
Midnight: A fireworks display will conclude this dinner, which will also have various styles of music."

According to a statement from the Princely family, "Miss Charlene Wittstock who professes the Christian faith has been admitted by free and personal choice into full communion with the Catholic Church."

Catherine Middleton, fiancée of HRH Prince William of Wales, has been confirmed in the Church of England.

According to a statement from the British Royal family, miss Middleton was confirmed at St James's Palace by the Bishop of London. The ceremony was attended by Prince William and by the Middleton family.

11.00am The Marriage Service begins. The Marriage Service will be relayed by audio speakers along the Route.

12.15pm The Carriage Procession of the Bride and Bridegroom with a Captain’s Escort of the Household Cavalry, followed by The Queen’s Procession with a Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry, leaves Westminster Abbey for Buckingham Palace.

12.30pm The Bride’s Carriage Procession arrives at Buckingham Palace.

12.40pm Members of the Royal Family and Members of Foreign Royal Families arrive at Buckingham Palace.

From 12.40pm: Other guests for the Reception arrive at Buckingham Palace.

1.25pm The Queen and the Bride and Bridegroom, together with their Families, appear on the Balcony.

1.30pm Fly Past by the Royal Air Force and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight."

It has also been confirmed that Catherine Middleton, accompanied by her immediate family, will spend the night before the wedding at the Goring Hotel. This was the Middleton family’s personal choice.

4/14/2011

Today, 14 April 2011, the christening of the in January born twin children of TRH Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark took place. The names were kept hidden until said aloud by the Crown Prince (little Prince) and Crown Princess (little Princess) in the church. The little Prince was named Vincent Frederik Minik Alexander and the little Princess was named Josephine Sophia Ivalo Mathilda.

The christening took place in the Holmens Church in Copenhagen, the same church where father, Crown Prince Frederik, was christened, and where grandmother, Queen Margrethe, then Princess Margrethe, married the Prince-Consort.

The Crown Prince carried his youngest son while the Crown Princess carried her youngest daughter.

The little Prince wore the christening robe earlier used by among others his older brother and sister, while the little Princess a dress wore that once belonged to HM the late Queen Ingrid of Denmarak, born Princess of Sweden, but has never been used.

The twins were born on January 8 at 10:30 (Prince) and 10:56 (Princess), at the Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen and joined older brother, Prince Christian, born October 15, 2005, and older sister, Princess Isabella, born April 21, 2007.

Like their older brother and sister, Vincent and Josephine are titled Prince/Princess to Denmark and Count/Countess of Monpezat with the style of Royal Highness, and they follow them in line to succession to the Danish throne.

4/11/2011

Today, April 11, 2011, was the first day of school for HRH Princess Ariane of the Netherlands, youngest daughter of TRH the Prince and Princess of Orange, Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands.

HQ pictures:

A small walk down memory lane.

The first day of school of the oldest daughter of the Prince and Princess, Princess Amalia of the Netherlands, took place on December 10, 2007. Pictures from HOLA can be found HERE.

The first day of school of the middle daughter of the Prince and Princess, Princess Alexia of the Netherlands, took place on June 29, 2009.

4/02/2011

The British Royal Court has released details about the ceremonial Military Personnel who will play a role in the wedding of HRH Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton. The couple is to marry on April 29, 2011.

From the official website about the wedding:

"The Ministry of Defence is pleased to confirm the details and range of ceremonial Military Personnel who will play a key role in the formal elements of the wedding of HRH Prince William of Wales and Miss Catherine Middleton on 29 April 2011.

General Sir David Richards, Chief of the Defence Staff, said: “I am delighted that so many members of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces have the opportunity to be part of The Royal Wedding. It is a huge honour for those servicemen and women taking part and one that they and their families will remember with great pride. They reflect the sentiments of the whole of the Armed Forces who share their pride in supporting this national celebration.

“For those in the Path Lining party it will be a particular and poignant honour as many will have served alongside Prince William, and I am sure they will take great delight in being among the first to see His Royal Highness alongside his new bride.”

The military elements involved are:

QUEEN’S GUARD:

The 1st Battalion Irish Guards will be providing the Queen’s Guard at Buckingham Palace, St James’s Palace and the Tower of London throughout the day. The Guard will turn out for the departure of the Royal Family from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey.

GUARD OF HONOUR:

A Guard of Honour comprising three officers and 101 other ranks from the Welsh Guards will be positioned in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace for the return of the members of the Royal Family.

STREET LINERS:

More than 1,000 military personnel and military musicians will line the route from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace. They will be made up of officers and other ranks from:

Along the route - the Band of Grenadier Guards at Marlborough Road; the Band of Coldstream Guards at Duke of York Steps; the Band of Scots Guards and the Corps of Drums, The Welsh Guards at Horse Guards; and the Corps of Drums, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment by the Cenotaph.

Inside Westminster Abbey – Eight Household Cavalry State Trumpeters, drawn equally from the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals.

Royal Air Force:

Along the route – The Central Band of the RAF, located at Horse Guards Avenue/Whitehall.

Inside Westminster Abbey – Eight RAF Fanfare Trumpeters.

PATH LINING OUTSIDE WESTMINSTER ABBEY AFTER SERVICE:

Personnel from each of the three Services will form a Path Lining party for when the couple leave Westminster Abbey. They are being chosen from a combination of those with a personal connection to Prince William, and those who have given an outstanding contribution to their Service.

SOVEREIGN’S ESCORT AND CAPTAIN’S ESCORT

The Life Guards and Blues and Royals of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment will form a Sovereign’s Escort for Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, and a Captain’s Escort for the Bride and Groom, as the wedding party travels to Buckingham Palace from Westminster Abbey. This will involve some 160 horses.

FLYPAST:

At 1330 a flypast will take place over Buckingham Palace. This will consist of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight‘s Lancaster, a Spitfire and a Hurricane; followed 30 seconds later by two Typhoons and two Tornado GR4s in box formation.

Military involved on the day will wear their respective Service ceremonial clothing.

Other members of the Armed Forces have received invitations to attend the wedding service in a private capacity."